4fer from Shaheen Shah Afridi & 88 from Fakhar Zaman help Pakistan level series with a 6 wicket win

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He was also overshadowed by KW and Bazís batting in the UAE last time but was really impressive.

Well obviously. KW and Baz were already established leaders in batting. This kid is new but barring something unforeseen, should have a very successful international career and be NZ's next big batsman.

Because while his game has impressed what's impressed me more is his temperament. He looks very tough mentally.

The problem with Imam is not his strike rate but his strokeplay. With good range of shots strike rates can be managed.

If you are not a boundary hitter its difficult to rotate strike as fielders move in knowing the batman is not a boundary hitter. This is where Imam has to improve and hit an occasional boundary but whats good about him is that he doesnt lose his wicket early which he should maintain.

It's a 3 PM start means by the time 2nd innings starts dew already had started. It wasn't a big factor in Asia cup in SEP, but now we are in NOV. Still, I am sure if Ken wins the 3rd toss, he'll bat first - Kiwis won't chase much against 30 overs of spin.

Yeah probably true. It wasn't a big factor in last match either but i think in this match there seems to be significant difference.

If Pakistan win this by ten wickets in 40 overs then maybe, just maybe they can talk about their batting having done well.

Doesnít really matter if pitch is conducive to stroke play or now.
End of the day - this game if Pakistan win, is set up by bowlers and does little to reassure me about our batting woes.
Expect malik and or hafeez to play big role in victory since there is no scoreboard pressure. Itís a pattern we have against better teams: we win through these two guys when chasing 200 to 220

This is Pakistan's first ODI win against a good team in 10 attempts. This is the true capability of this team - a success factor of 25% - 30% over a large sample of games against teams like India, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia etc.

How else would people like to describe this win? And why does everyone expect me to wax lyrical about this team that does and will continue to lose more than half of its matches against the top half teams?

People did not like the word fluke, and they seem to have a problem with the Law of Averages phenomenon as well. If they expect me to celebrate and rejoice at lowering the losing percentage from 100% to 90%, it is not going to happen. I am not going to ignore the true capabilities of this mediocre team because they had a good day.

This is Pakistan's first ODI win against a good team in 10 attempts. This is the true capability of this team - a success factor of 25% - 30% over a large sample of games against teams like India, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia etc.

How else would people like to describe this win? And why does everyone expect me to wax lyrical about this team that does and will continue to lose more than half of its matches against the top half teams?

People did not like the word fluke, and they seem to have a problem with the Law of Averages phenomenon as well. If they expect me to celebrate and rejoice at lowering the losing percentage from 100% to 90%, it is not going to happen. I am not going to ignore the true capabilities of this mediocre team because they had a good day.

Would you guys blame Inzi for Imam's injury? Before his selection in Pak team, we all knew that Imam has good FC cricket credentials but average LOI cricket credentials. Yet Inzi selected Imam for ODIs and now the poor boy has to play against his natural game by trying to play fast against better bowlers in ODIs. In Test cricket Imam would have ducked this bouncer.

Imam might be slow but it is not like we are blessed with dynamic openers. Would take Imam over Farhan 100%.

Would you guys blame Inzi for Imam's injury? Before his selection in Pak team, we all knew that Imam has good FC cricket credentials but average LOI cricket credentials. Yet Inzi selected Imam for ODIs and now the poor boy has to play against his natural game by trying to play fast against better bowlers in ODIs. In Test cricket Imam would have ducked this bouncer.

Dude that's too much of nonsense. Imam was batting, not Inzi.... Jeezzzzz man PP experts will go any level to humiliate who they don't like.